On behalf of the President of the State… Abdullah Al-Alaa participates in the Security Council’s open discussion on the governance of natural resources

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” and in response to the invitation addressed to His Highness by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, Abdullah Al-Alaa, participated in the high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council on “Natural Resource Governance, Conflict Prevention, and Sustainable Peace.”

The session was held at the invitation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during its presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July, and during the discussion, the UAE affirmed its firm commitment to strengthening international cooperation and improving the governance of natural resources, as it is an essential pillar for preventing conflicts, consolidating sustainable peace, and supporting long-term development.

During his speech, Al-Alaa highlighted the importance of strengthening governance frameworks to prevent the exploitation of natural resources by armed groups, terrorist organizations, and criminal networks, ensuring that natural resources are used to support stability, enhance economic flexibility, and achieve sustainable development.

Al-Alaa also stressed the importance of building transparent and accountable institutions, promoting responsible sourcing and traceability of supply chains, providing reliable data, and intensifying international cooperation, while emphasizing respect for national ownership of resources and the development priorities of the countries that produce them.

Balaala stressed the importance of encouraging responsible investments that support local manufacturing and developing industrial capabilities, and enhancing the participation of resource-producing countries in global value chains, enabling them to achieve sustainable and comprehensive economic value from their natural resources.

He said: Strengthening governance to prevent conflicts related to natural resources is much more effective and less costly than intervening after the outbreak of conflicts.

During the speech, Al-Alaa renewed the UAE’s commitment to constructive work with the United Nations, partners on the African continent, and member states, to ensure that natural resources are a pillar for achieving peace, common prosperity, and sustainable economic growth.

On the sidelines of the discussion, Abdullah Al-Alaa held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Therese Kayekwamba Wagner, where the two sides exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of sustainable development, natural resource governance, and multilateral work.

The UAE’s participation in the open debate of the Security Council embodies the country’s continued commitment, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” to strengthen multilateral action, address the root causes of conflicts, support sustainable development, and establish lasting peace.